Job description

Company OVERVIEW

1/ST – The Stronach Group is a Canadian-based company with thoroughbred horse racing and online sports betting at its core. 1/ST encompasses five distinct business areas that are inter-related and supportive of each other, enabling 1/ST to be the most dominant player in the U.S. horse racing and wagering industry. 1/ST owns and operates four legendary American racetracks: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, and Maryland Jockey Club. 1/ST’s mission to is to energize, excite, and modernize the sport of racing while prioritizing horse health and safety and ushering in a new set of fans.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Labor and Employee Relations Manager administers Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields’ labor and employee relations programs, policies, and procedures. The successful candidate will ensure successful labor-management relations and help interpret collective bargaining agreements, investigate and process grievances, interpret and advise on contract requirements, bargain contract changes, and handle related issues. These racetrack facilities have 20+ union contracts between them, including several multi-employer contracts, covering 1000+ regular and seasonal hospitality, facilities, and racing employees. The successful candidate will also be a key member of the HR team, assisting with day-to-day employee relations matters, including compliance trainings, onboarding/offboarding, performance management, and misconduct investigations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advises management on labor relations and employment matters with the goal of reaching a fair and amicable resolution that satisfies all parties needs.

• Assists with developing an overall theme and strategy for bargaining, develops solid arguments and strategies that permit implementation of a coherent plan at the table.

• Writes, interprets, and researches contract language to achieve management’s goals.

• Develops labor contract costing models to adequately evaluate union proposals.

• Coordinates, develops, and prepares bargaining positions for labor negotiations in consultation with management and labor counsel.

• Assists with representing Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields at the bargaining table. Must be able to handle stress and passionate discussion of ideas.

• Applies knowledge of business and industry best practices to help involved parties reach an agreement.

• Works efficiently and promptly to minimize and mitigate labor-related wage losses, operational interruptions, low morale, and mistrust.

• Processes union and employee grievances by investigating and interviewing appropriate staff and conducting necessary research, to verify pertinent facts.

• Actively listens to all sides of a disagreement; seeks understanding of undisputed facts, identifies areas of mutual agreement, and suggests possible areas for compromise.

• If grievance resolution process fails, arranges for the matter to proceed to arbitration and coordinates with internal and external counsel on substantive arbitration preparation.

• Is familiar with, interprets, and advises managers on CBA requirements and employee relations best practices.

• Works closely with, provides training to, and advises members of management, including Human Resources personnel, on labor and employee relations best practices and compliance.

• Reviews and revises Employee and Labor relations policies as required based on legal changes locally and ineffective policies when identified.

• Oversees supervisor and management training to develop positive employee relations practices internally and ensure consistent application of policies.

• Manage with support of the HR and or Safety Specialist, terminations, and complex employee relations cases by supporting managers and HR in building the case, determining corrective measures and supporting management in delivering the decision to the employee and liaising with union representatives.

• Assists the HR team with employee relations matters, including onboarding/offboarding, performance management, intake of employee feedback and complaints, investigations, and compliance trainings.

• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS &EDUCATION:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent training, with major course work in industrial relations, human resources, or other related field, and 4-6 years of professional experience in human resources and negotiating and managing labor agreements, processing union grievances, and building good working labor-management relationships.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS:

• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, influencing, and collaboration skills.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office applications, Adobe, Smart Sheet, Zoom, and cloud-based document management systems, such as OneDrive and SharePoint.

• Superior contract drafting and interpretation skills; adherence to a Plain English drafting style.

• Superior relationship management and negotiation skills.

• Solid understanding of basic employment concepts, including wage and hour requirements; professionalism, bullying, harassment and discrimination; DEI; hiring best practices; employment investigation best practices; etc.

• Solid understanding of basic labor concepts, including direct dealing, unilateral actions, good-faith bargaining, just cause determinations, and representational duties and roles.

• Knowledge of federal, California, and local employment and labor laws, rules, and regulations.

• Knowledge of standard grievance and arbitration procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• In-person position located at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA; telework program available.

• Core schedule 9-5:30 Wednesday-Sunday during racing season (December 26 through mid-June and Last week of September through first week of November); 9-5:30 Monday-Friday during non racing season.

• Office and large public sporting facility environment

• Requires some travel to Golden Gate Fields and offsite bargaining locations.

• Ability to walk facility grounds (which are large and contain various surface types and stairs) to meet with employees and labor representatives.

• Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer for prolonged periods of time.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• negotiating and managing labor agreements: 4 years (Preferred)
• processing union grievances: 4 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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